The Tanakh Podcast

Why does Ezekiel return to speak of the demise of Edom? How is the desolation of the Hills of Edom linked to the restoration of the Hills of Israel?

God decries the old, self-interested, corrupt leadership and vows that he will instate a leadership that has the nation's interests at heart. The chapter ends with a portrayal of the blessings that will ensue.

In 33:21 The news comes from Jerusalem that the city has fallen. Now Ezekiel can demonstrate that his prophecies of several years have been accurate, and that the spiritual message that he has preached is correct. This chapter then is a restatement of many of the truths at the heart of Yechezkel's mission, and a validation of his prophetic message.

Our chapter gives both a "kinnah" - a lament, and a "Nehi" - a dirge, for the demise of Egypt. The Nehi mocks Egypt's place in the She'ol, the Underworld; Egypt would have been particularly concerned about life after death, and here she discovers that she shares an inglorious, impure place in the Afterlife. We discuss the theme of Immortality with an eye to Channukah wh...

Egypt is compared to the beautiful but vain cedar tree of Assyria, sitting by the river, dominant, verdant and proud. But, God says, Egypt will fall just like the "tree" of Assyria was felled. The river will not help the tree. This prophecy associates the riverlands of Egypt and Mesopotamia with Eden, but the great bounty offered by the rivers also engender a spirit of arrogance. In this...

In today's chapter we show how the destruction of Egypt as foretold by Ezekiel will echo and reflect the Exodus story. Music. Evyatar Banai - "Karev Yom"

Chapter 29 predicts the demise of Egypt who is guilty of pride and betrayal of Israel. Music. The Bangles - "Walk like an Egyptian"

Our chapter is a diatribe against the king of Tyre and his arrogance, comporting himself as a god, imagining that he is in the garden of Eden. We discuss the sin of hubris, and the power of Channukah as a festival that champions the power of small things. Music. Zusha

In this lament-parable, Tyre is depicted as a sailing-ship made with the finest materials, piloted by the most professional sailors, and laden with the most expensive and sophisticated cargo. And yet, on her maiden voyage, the ship is sunk in a storm! What is the message?

Ezekiel predicts the fall of the city and kingdom of Tyre. Who is Tyre? What was their sin? Did the prophecy materialize?

In the first of the "Prophecies Against the Nations" Ezekiel addresses Amon, Moav, Edom and the Philistines and predicts their downfall. What do these prophecies add to the tapestry of messages that Ezekiel offers?

Chapter 24 takes place on the 10 of Tevet - the day that the Babylonians besiege Jerusalem. 1. Ezekiel prophesizes about the "pot and the meat" and warns the people that Jerusalem will not protect or defend them; instead they will be stewed inside the city as the siege begins to bite. 2. Yechezkel's own wife dies and the prophet is instructed to refrain from mourning rituals. This re...

Jerusalem and Samaria are depicted as two sisters - unfaithful to their husband and rampantly promiscuous. Their punishment is the consequence of their infidelity. This chapter is violent, shocking and brutal and hard to read. We discuss the history of the metaphor of Jerusalem as a woman, and we look at the use of the theme of promiscuity as reflecting the sin of idolatry

This chapter is a sordid inventory of Jerusalem's sins. Music: Hadag Nachash - "Ir Ha-Elohim - City of God"

Our chapter warns about the fierce destruction that will befall Jerusalem, like a wildfire, or like an unsheathed sword. In response to this prophecy, Ezekiel is instructed to moan or groan so it seems that his entire body is broken. What is the power of a groan?

Chapter 20 is a historical review with many surprises ... details that we have not heard previously. How shall we understand this detailed chapter?

This is a dirge over three kings: One is taken in captivity to Egypt, another to Babylon; the third is like an uprooted vine. Among other things we discuss the use of the term "Nassi" as describing a king.

Do children suffer for their parents' sins or does each generation receive a clean slate, a fresh chance?

A riddle and a parable: Two Eagles. A tale of planting and uprooting. What can it all mean? In our podcast we explain the double dimension of the chapter - the parable AND the riddle. Music: Amy Winehouse - "You Know I'm No Good"

In an exceedingly harsh chapter we focus on the famous line, recited at the Seder Table and at a Brit Milah: "In your blood - Live!!" and we discuss a beautiful song by the famous Israeli songwriter, Naomi Shemer.

Yechezkel talks about a vine. He claims it has no use other than being used as firewood. Similarly Jerusalem should simply be consumed by fire; it is useless! But isn't the vine one of the most lauded plants in the Bible? We embark on a journey from Genesis to Judges, Isaiah 5, Jeremiah 2 and Psalms 80 in which we show how the vine is used as a metaphor for Israel, He sins are its "wild&q...

Our chapter advocates an attitude of strict justice: v.1-11 - Only strict monotheism will be tolerated v.12-21 - Only the righteous will survive But then in v.22-23 there is an exception: Some of Jerusalem's children will survive; a. to tell the moral story of the city, and b. to repent and return. Music. Kaleo. Save Yourself

Yechezkel exhorts the false prophets who offer quick fixes to deeply set problems. They will cause damage by not addressing the systemic flaws in society.

Yechezkel is instructed to pack his bare essentials, put them in a backpack, break a hole in the walls of his house, and escape as a fugitive in the night. What is the symbolism of this?

As Ezekiel completes his prophetic tour of Jerusalem, we demonstrate that Ezekiel is polemicizing with three erroneous statements made by the people of Jerusalem. Music. Avishai Cohen - Beyond